More protection for Algonquin Park: Where do we go from here?

March, 2010

Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan Amendment, 2010

While the province has announced its intention to increase protection in Algonquin, they still have to go through two more processes to get there:

-          Park Management Plan Amendment – The park management plan must be amended in order to implement the increase in protection(Public comment period Jan 20 – March 8, 2010)

-          Forest management Plan Amendment – Unlike any other park in the province Algonquin also has a Forest Management Plan that directs how it will be logged.  Once the Park Management Plan Amendment is completed a complimentary Forest Management Plan Amendment will be necessary to ensure that both plans are in sync.

Each of these amendments will go through a public review period where comments from the public will be reviewed and considered for the final amendment.

We are currently in the Park Management Plan amendment comment period.

The Proposal:

The expansion of protection in Algonquin Provincial Park is proceeding as a result of the Joint Proposal for Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park, Revised October 26, 2009 (LTF).  The proposal supposedly increases protection from the current 22% to 49%.  However, there is some ambiguity in the language of the proposal that could water down this increase.

We are very encouraged with the fact that this process is going forward, however, we feel that clarification of some of the protection is critical.

1 – Zoning – Is all of the increase truly protected?

While the intent of the report is to increase protection in the park to 49% of the land, it is unclear why the proposal suggests that part of this protection must remain in the ‘Recreation Utilization’ (RU) Zone, a designation that continues to be used to manage land for forestry (logging) purposes. 

RU Zone: exists only in Algonquin and only to facilitate forestry activities.   

Protected – Zoned (outside of the RU Zone) does not permit forestry.

This is further complicated by some ambiguous language used to describe areas that are protected from forestry.

To ensure that land is truly protected, all areas designated ‘protected/not available’ (for forestry) in the park, must be designated ‘Protected Zoned’ and not RU as is currently proposed.  The confusion around this issue arises from the chart in “Summary of Current and Proposed Areas for Protection” (Figure 1, Page 20) of the joint LTF report.

Joint Proposal for Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park

As it currently exists (summarized)

Joint Proposal for Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park

As it should exist in order to clarify protection

The province has committed to protecting 49% of Algonquin, but it remains unclear why the zoning does not follow suit.  Keeping any of the protected land in the RU zone questions the value of any protection this zone affords.  There is no reason to continue to use the RU designation once land is ‘not available’ for forestry.

2 – Roads – Reduce the amount and impact of roads on the Park

The road network needed to facilitate logging has significant negative impacts on the ecological integrity of the park.  The more than 5,400 kilometres of roads[1] have widespread and profound negative impacts on Algonquin.  Impacts caused by roads include, but are not limited to:

Erosion

Soil compaction

Habitat destruction and disturbance

Disruption of predator/prey relationships

Increases in heat, dust and noise 

Increase in consumptive uses (more hunting and fishing pressure)

Habitat fragmentation

While increasing protection in Algonquin through LTF we must also reduce the impacts of roads in the park.  Total road length must continue to diminish.  Less aggregate must be mined and used on park roads.  Furthermore, decommissioning of roads must occur after harvesting has been completed in an area.

3 – Old Growth – All Old Growth stands must be protected in Algonquin

While LTF proposes to protect more of Algonquin Provincial Park, it is unclear whether all of the existing Old Growth stands will indeed be captured by this process.  Every effort must be made to ensure that all identified Old Growth is protected as a result of this process.

In summary, the province has shown considerable foresight through LTF by increasing protection in Algonquin. In order to be sure that the 49% is truly protected we must ensure that:

1 – Zoning – Is all of the increase truly protected?

2 – Roads – Reduce the amount and impact of roads on the Park

3 – Old Growth – All Old Growth stands must be protected in Algonquin

Send a letter to the province now.

More information:

Link to EBR posting

Government report:

Joint Proposal for Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park

Background Info - Proposed Amendment to the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan To Address the Joint Proposal for Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park

Read our letter to the province.